AEM: Assess React, Next.js, and Node.js security alerts
Security scans can raise concern about React Server Components, Next.js, or Node.js vulnerabilities affecting AEM environments. In standard AEM runtime deployments, these libraries are not part of the core Java-based platform, so alerts usually point to custom front-end applications, separate services, or local development tooling. Confirming impact requires checking project dependencies, reviewing whether server-side React or Next.js is in use, and verifying whether Node.js is installed for custom scripts. Review the relevant dependencies and runtime paths to confirm whether only custom code requires action.
Description description
Environment:
- AEM as a Cloud Service
- AEM 6.5 and AEM Managed Services
- Dispatcher
- Custom front-end projects connected to AEM, including
ui.frontendmodules and standalone React or Next.js applications - Local development tooling or custom scripts that may include Node.js
Issue/Symptoms:
- Security scans report React Server Components, Next.js, or Node.js vulnerabilities without identifying a clear AEM runtime path.
- Uncertainty remains about whether AEM Core Components, AEM 6.5, AEM as a Cloud Service, or Dispatcher include the flagged libraries in standard runtime use.
- A review of AEM architecture confirms the core platform is built on Java technologies and does not use React Server Components or Next.js in the runtime.
- A dependency review of standalone front-end repositories shows whether packages such as
next,react-server, orreact-server-dom-*are present. - If a
ui.frontendmodule exists, the review confirms whether React code is client-side only and does not include server-side rendering logic. - Running
node -von AEM or Dispatcher hosts confirms whether Node.js is installed for unrelated tooling or custom scripts.
Root cause:
The flagged vulnerabilities apply to third-party JavaScript server-side frameworks or Node.js runtimes. AEM core runtime components are not based on these libraries, so alerts usually come from custom applications, separate services, or local tooling outside the AEM runtime.
Resolution resolution
Try the following steps to solve the issue:
- Confirm whether the alert is targeting AEM or a separate front-end application, service, or development tool.
- Review front-end repositories for dependencies such as
next,react-server, andreact-server-dom-*. - Inspect any
ui.frontendmodule to verify whether React code is client-side only and does not include server-side rendering logic. - Check AEM and Dispatcher hosts with
node -vto determine whether Node.js is installed for custom scripts or tooling. - If Node.js or the flagged frameworks are present only in custom code or tooling, remediate those components according to the vulnerability guidance for that technology.
If the alert identifies AEM file paths directly, if server-side React or Next.js is detected, or if troubleshooting shows Node.js is used by custom scripts and the scope remains unclear, submit a ticket to Adobe Support.